Sometimes less is more. Sinisa Ubiparipovic is learning that lesson, and earning more playing time as well. In his second straight start, he had the best game of his career and was the best offensive player on the pitch, creating Kevin Goldthwaiteâs 16th-minute goal in a 1-0 win over Dallas.

âThis is a great opportunity for some of the players to say âI can be a leader on this teamâ and there were some signs of a couple today,ââ said coach Juan Carlos Osorio. âI hope they relish that challenge.ââ

Ubiparipovic clearly did just that, playing with less showmanship but more substance _ and impact.

âSinisa, this is not luck; this is all pure hard work,ââ Osorio said. âWeâve been working a lot of trying to convince him that when he plays effective football _ meaning no backheels, no outside flicks, just playing simple football, inside passes _ he can compete and he can play at this level.

â(Weâre just trying to) instill in him that he has the ability to take shots. He did today and he played very well. Iâm very pleased with him.ââ

Ubiparipovic cut inside and unleashed a long range shot that forced a diving save from Dallas GK Dario Sala and earned a corner. Then the 24-year-old from Bosnia & Herzegovina sent a bending corner far post, with Goldthwaite beating Blake Wagner to the ball and heading it home for the game-winner.

âHis confidence is growing and heâs putting some real good balls in on set pieces,â Goldthwaite said. âEven in the second half he put in some great balls. Itâs great to see someone like Sinisa come in and kind of fill a role. We needed him to come in and keep the ball, and he did a great job of it.â

Not only did he make the adjustment to playing out on the flank in a 4-4-2 diamond midfield _ heâd only played centrally before _ but he adjusted his game to play simpler but more aggressive. He unleashed four shots, two on goal _ both game-highs _ to force diving saves from Sala.

âI was playing a little bit more out wide. There was more open space and I used it to my advantage. I took shots when I had the chance,ââ said Ubiparipovic, who acknowledged that in his case less has been more.

âYeah Iâd have to agree with that. Itâs just playing simple balls and then when you have the opportunity to take people on and be dangerous you have to do that. We knew what we wanted to do; I was looking to come out get the ball be dangerous just create opportunities for myself and other players. I was just playing football out here.ââ